chapter four

                                    

                                          
Mia
I stay silent as I follow beside him, my hands shaking and my heart beat pounding against my chest.
You're only, you're okay.
I chant to myself, hoping the more I repeat the words the quicker I'll believe them. It doesn't seem to be working.
Asher opens the cafe door for me, the bell chiming as we walk inside.
"I need to grab my stuff and then we can leave." He says gruffly, heading to the table where his friends are still sitting.
I stand awkwardly to the side, praying Maryn doesn't come out and see me crying. She can't find out.
His friends give me questioning glances, and i hear Asher say something quietly to them but I can't make out all the words.
I take a deep breath in, as I try to keep from having a panic attack. His face is a clear picture in my head, his hands grasping me...
I breathe out slowly.
I continue doing this until Asher walks back over to me, his pie smeared sweatshirt hanging over his arm. He doesn't speak as he walks out the door, holding it open long enough for me to walk through.
"You really don't have to do this." I mumble, and he gives me a glare.
"Stop talking." He says, clearly annoyed.
I close my mouth, frowning. 
I'm very grateful for what he did, and that he offered to take me home, but if this is how he's gonna act then I rather walk back.
But what if I run into him again?
I push the thought away, fooling with the sleeves of my shirt.
He stops at the end of the sidewalk, glancing both ways before he walks across the road. I follow beside him.
I look at the sleek black car parked at the other side, and can tell from one glance I'd never be able to afford it.
He pulls out his keys when we get to it, and unlocks it before opening the door. I expect him to get in but he just leans in and throws his hoodie in the backseat before walking to the other side of the car.
I'm very surprised when he opens the door for me, and I give him a small smile as I take my backpack off before getting in. "Thank yo-" He closes the door before I can finish. 
I place my bag in my lap.
How can someone be so contradicting?
One minute he's glaring at me, and the next he's offering to take me home and opening my door. 
I guess he's rude...but with manners?
I glance at him as he gets in, cranking the car. Air conditioning fans my face and a vaguely familiar song plays from the radio. I try to figure out the name when he hands me his phone.
"What?" I ask, so confused. 
He gives me a look as if I'm stupid. "Put your address in so I know where I'm going."